"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies:
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet her in aspect and in her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies."
--BYRON.


1. THE HIGHEST STYLE OF BEAUTY.--The highest style of beauty to be
found in nature pertains to the human form, as animated and lighted
up by the intelligence within. It is the expression of the soul that
constitutes this superior beauty. It is that which looks out of the
eye, which sits in calm majesty on the brow, lurks on the lip, smiles
on the cheek, is set forth in the chiselled lines and features of
the countenance, in the general contour of figure and form, in
the movement, and gesture, and tone; it is this looking out of the
invisible spirit that dwells within, this manifestation of the higher
nature, that we admire and love; this constitutes to us the beauty of
our species.

2. BEAUTY WHICH PERISHES NOT.--There is a beauty which perishes not.
It is such as the angels wear. It forms the washed white robes of the
saints. It wreathes the countenance of every doer of good. It adorns
every honest face. It shines in the virtuous life. It molds the hands
of charity. It sweetens the voice of sympathy. It sparkles on the brow
of wisdom. It flashes in the eye of love. It breathes in the spirit of
piety. It is the beauty of the heaven of heavens. It is that which may
grow by the hand of culture in every human soul. It is the flower of
the spirit which blossoms on the tree of life. Every soul may plant